Pitchfork Festival 2014
Drums, please! Don't let the occasional light dusting of snow (at least here in NYC) fool you. With the Outkast reunion and other attendant madness that unfolded at Coachella this past week, the summer festival has officially kicked off. And with so many excellent music festivals filling up the calendar we had no choice but to bring you the Okayplayer's Complete Summer Festival Guide of 2014 extra-early. Nas, 'Kast and Kanye will be hitting the global circuit hard along with a massive cast of supporting hip-hop, funk, r&b, jazz and electronic acts. But keep a keen eye: our list also includes rare one-off performances from the likes of Prince, Frank Ocean and Madlib, among many others. We've got our eyes on everything from the West Coast to the Swiss riviera in what is definitely our most internationable festival rundown yet. Choosing which weekend (or two, or three) to spend your tax return on won't be easy, but at least now you'll be well-informed. Click through the list for artist highlights, ticketing information and tips on how to make the most of each event. Your 2014 summer music festival rundown starts now.
1. Jazz Fest
Who?--Chris Thomas King, Santana, Public Enemy, Phish, Gregory Porter, Charlie Wilson, Bombino, North Mississippi Allstars, Keb' Mo', Solange, Alabama Shakes, Chaka Khan, Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires, Trombone Shorty, Aaron Neville, Bobby Womack, Chick Corea and more.
When?--April 25-27; May 1-4.
Where?--New Orleans, LA.
How Do I Get In?--Tickets are still on sale here.
Like the Montreux Jazz Festival, New Orleans's Jazz Fest utilizes multiple weekends and a massive pool of talent to give lucky attendees the sonic treat of a lifetime. This fest has a bit more voodoo doin, though, with Nawlins greats like Aaron Neville and Trombone Shorty ruling the roost. The ultimate music party in the city that has never stopped partying in all its history, Jazz Fest will without a doubt boil over into the bar stages and side streets of the French Quarter and beyond. We can taste those po' boys already.
2. Moogfest
Who?--Flying Lotus, Pet Shop Boys, M.I.A., Giorgio Moroder, Nile Rodgers, Janelle Monáe and more.
When?--April 23-27.
Where?--Asheville, NC.
How do I get in?--Buy your tickets here.
The Moog synthesizer has had a foundational role in the development of modern r&b, funk, hip-hop and jazz, and with each passing year Moogfest finds fresh and fascinating ways to bring together artists who make this fact plain. In addition to synthed-out nighttime performances, the fest will continue its tradition of daytime conversations on on-stage discovery sessions with musicians and producers showing us just what exactly all those envelopes and oscillators can do. Better act fast, though--we're less than a week from showtime!
3. The Art of Cool Festival
Who?--The Foreign Exchange, Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, Maceo Parker, GIZMO, Amel Larrieux, Bilal, Thundercat, Christian Scott, KING, Mark De Clive-Lowe, The REVIVE Big Band, Nnenna Freelon, Marcus Strickland, Gerald Clayton, N’Dambi, Hubert Laws, Cody Chesnutt, Alice Smith The Clayton Brothers and more.
When?--April 25-26.
Where?--Durham, NC.
How do I get in?--Tickets are on sale here.
There's a riot goin' on in North Carolina and you better get your tickets quick. The Art of Cool Festival is bringing some of the best in today's funk, jazz and soul scenes to the streets of Durham and it's going down soon. Soulfunk brother #1 Cody Chesnutt blew the roof off of the official Okayplayer SXSW showcase and there's every reason to believe he'll do the same at this festival. New-jazz connoisseurs already know that Christian Scott's got the funkiest trumpet this side of Roy Hargrove and all that plus Bilal in the mix is just too ill.
4. Sasquatch
Who?--Outkast, M.I.A., De la Soul, Kid Cudi, Chet Faker, Banks, Major Lazer, Tyler the Creator, Chance the Rapper, Hannibal Buress and more.
When?--May 23-35.
Where?--The Gorge, Quincy, WA.
How do I get in?--A few tickets are still on sale--get em quick!
Early plans for a second round of artists on Fourth of July weekend have been scrapped, putting all the focus on Sasquatch's Memorial Day weekend lineup. A choice selection of hip-hop, r&b and dancehall will make its way to the jaw-droppingly gorgeous Gorge amphitheater, ensuring that the Pacific Northwest keeps bouncing.
5. Soundset
Who?--Nas, Cypress Hill, EarlWolf (Tyler the Creator & Earl Sweatshirt), 2 Chainz, Pusha T, Chance the Rapper, Wiz Khalifa, Atmosphere and more.
When?--May 25.
Where?--Shakopee, MN.
How do I get in?--Tickets are a steal and available here.
Rhymesayers's annual Atmosphere-topped jamboree has become a real heavy-hitter on the festival circuit since its earlier days in the Metrodome parking lot. Past years have brought De La Soul, Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar, Busta Rhymes and some of the best under-the-radar talent in the country to Minneapolis, and this year has a good look thanks to Nas, Cyprees Hill and those rowdy OFWGKTA kids. Our insider tips are to plan for a wild First Avenue after-party later that night and definitely check out Toki Wright & Big Cats, an MC-producer duo that have been dropping smoothly intelligent tracks out of Minneapolis for the last two years.
6. Jazz Reggae Festival
Who?--Snoop Dogg, Aloe Blacc, Mavado, Black Uhuru, Gramps Morgan, Fortunate Youth, The Internet, Sarah Reich's Tap Music Project and Sister Carol.
When?--May 25-26.
Where?--UCLA, Los Angeles, CA.
How do I get in?--Cop your tickets here.
UCLA has been throwing the dopest college concert on earth for 28 years running, and the lineup announcement for this year's Jazzreggae Festival is true to form. The west coast is representing strong with both Aloe Blacc and the doggfather Snoop, and on the reggae side of things Movado and company will light the fire in jah iron lion zion mind. All this is a steal at $60 for a 2-day pass and no chemistry textbooks required?? See you at Intramural Field!
7. Primavera Sound
Who?--Blood Orange, Charles Bradley, Chromeo, Discolsure, Earl Sweatshirt, Kendrick Lamar, Seun Kuti and more.
When?--May 28-31.
Where?--Barcelona, Spain.
How do I get in?--Tickets can be purchased aquí.
If you've got to miss out on The Roots Picnic, Spain's Primavera Sound is the next-best festival option. High-rollers of dance music and hip-hop alike are primed to rock Barcelona's beaches and the weekend will also feature a concert poster market and massive record fair, guaranteeing that your home collections will stay fresh long after the music's ended.
8. The 7th Annual Roots Picnic
Who?--The Roots, Snoop Dogg, Janelle Monae, The War on Drugs, Action Bronson, A$AP Ferg, Araabmuzik, Rudimental, Bad Rabits, Biz Markie (dj set), Jhené Aiko, Just Blaze, Electric Wire Hustle, Chill Moody, Roman Gianarthur, Emily Wells.
When?--Saturday, May 31st.
Where?--Festival Pier at Penn's Landing, Philadelphia, PA.
How do I get in?--Tickets are on sale here.
We've been on a roll with The Roots Picnic and somehow each year keeps topping the last. With so many new sensations and hip-hop legends all taking the stage in Philly this Memorial Day weekend is headed for critical musical mass. Peep the Okayplayer TVrecap of last year's Picnic if you need proof. Do you want more?!!!??! Get your ticketsnow and thank us later.
9. Hot 97 Summer Jam
Who?--Nas, The Roots and friends, Childish Gambino, Trey Songz, DJ Mustard, Action Bronson, Kid Ink, Jhené Aiko, 50 Cent, Nicki Minaj & YMCMB, Wiz Khalifa and more.
When?--June 1.
Where?--Metlife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ.
How do I get in?--Buy tickets here, or tune in to Hot 97 on the radio for daily chances to win some!
Hot 97, God bless your life. Leave it to NYC's top hip-hop station to bring in the deepest and dopest talent in for a one day sky-high banger. After Nas and The Roots rocked Illmatic joints in symbiotic sync this month it seems appropriate that the Queens MC get on the mic with the legendary, plus you can bet that whichever "friends" The Roots crew brings along will be must-see figures. On top of that we're keen to see what 50 Cent has up his sleeves now that his live MCing appearances have become scarce. Hopefully he'll sneak in some fresh material off the long-awaited Street King Immortal.
10. Celebrate Brooklyn
Who?--Janelle Monae, Luciano, Robert Glasper Experiment featuring Talib Kweli, Deltron 3030, The Soul Rebels, Bebel Gilberto, Afrika Bambaataa, St. Vincent, The National, Neutral Milk Hotel Warpaint and more.
When?--June 4-August 9.
Where?--Prospect Park, Brooklyn, NY.
How do I get in?--Most shows are free, but certain tickets can be purchased here.
Summer in Brooklyn is a thing of beauty and it's only right that locals take advantage and catch the ongoing Celebrate Brooklyn festival in Prospect Park. Some sets, like the Robert Glasper Experiment alongside the man Talib Kweli are enough to justify the trip even for fans outside the five boroughs. Don't sleep on Bebel Gilberto, the daughter of Bossa Nova godfather João Gilberto, and prepare to have your brain re-calibrated by Annie Clark AKA St. Vincent and her mesmerizing guitar work. Almost all trains in NYC lead to Prospect Park, so why fight it? Raise it up and celebrate the B-K-L-Y-N.
11. Governor's Ball
Who?--Outkast, Disclosure, J. Cole, Damian Marley, Broken Bells, James Blake, Childish Gambino, Janelle Monae, Tyler the Creator, Earl Sweatshirt, Chance the Rapper, RJD2, Run the Jewels, Banks, and more.
When?--June 6-8.
Where?--Randall's Island, New York City, NY.
How do I get in?--Tickets are on sale here, but navigating the ferry is all on you.
Outkast's mighty summer festival reign will make an early stop in NYC for Governor's Ball. Catching Big Boi and Andre 3000 back in action is sure to be the must-see set of the summer, but would you look at the rest of that bill? It's a foregone conclusion that Odd Future will start a mighty ruckus and we've got our fingers crossed that Killer Mike and El-P will bless us with some new cuts off of Run the Jewels 2.
12. Northside Festival
Who?--Talib Kweli, Benjamin Booker, Beirut, CVRCHES and more.
When?--June 12-19.
Where?--Brooklyn, NY.
How do I get in?--Get your badges here.
Brooklyn's quaint Northside festival is becoming increasingly less so. Now a week-long multimedia event that includes film screenings, public speakers and a trade show, the party spreads out over most of Williamsburg and into Greenpoint. Us, well we're hyped to see Talib Kweli perform in his home borough and are staying hopeful that he'll bring fellow Brooklynite Yasiin Bey AKA Mos Def out for a verse or two.
13. Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival
Who?--Kanye West, Frank Ocean, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Ice Cube, Janelle Monáe, Chromeo, Elton John, Jack White, Bobby Womack, Lionel Richie, Wiz Khalifa, Broken Bells, James Blake, Chance the Rapper, Little Dragon, Danny Brown, Disclosure, Sam Smith, A$AP Ferg, Pusha T, Hannibal Buress, Jon Batiste, Seun Kuti and more.
When?--June 12th-15th.
Where?--Manchester, TN.
How do I get in?--Purchase tickets here and be sure to hydrate, ya'll!
Bonnaroo seems to have made nice with Kanye after the debacle that was his 2008 late night/early morning performance. While 'roo attendees wait on the 8-hour setup of his Yeezus spectacle they'll be able to take in one of the best festival rosters of the summer. Frank Ocean, Lauryn Hill, Lionel Richie, Danny Brown and Ms. Janelle Monae all in one weekend? Sho 'nuff doin it.
14. Firefly Festival
Who?--Outkast, Beck, Broken Bells, Childish Gambino, Ziggy Marley, Girl Talk, Chance the Rapper, A-Trak, Son Lux and more.
When?--June 19-22.
Where?--Dover, DE.
How do I get in?--Tickets are on sale here.
The Outkast train will keep on rolling through the Firefly festival, which has more than enough DJ muscle to keep the masses happy. On a bill that's anchored by some of the biggest names in college and pop radio, it's sweet to see Chance the Rapper and even sweeter to see the electronic wizard Son Lux getting hooked up as well.
15. Glastonbury
Who?--Jurassic 5, The Wailers, Kelis, Danny Brown, Seun Kuti, M.I.A., De La Soul, Disclosure, Massive Attack, Daptone Super Soul Revue, Chance the Rapper, Chromeo and more.
When?--June 25-29.
Where?--Pilton, Somerset, England.
How do I get in?-- 2k14 Tickets SOLD OUT in record time, but there seems to be some noise about a re-sale.
As always the Brits have brought 'em in. Glastonbury has become the UK counterpoint to Bonnaroo: both fests snag the top names, most diverse rosters, and copious amounts of mud. 2014 is no exception; classic hip-hop crews (bout damn time Jurassic 5!), modern dance demigods, show-stopper horn sections--it's all here. We're kicking ourselves for not snagging tickets when they went on sale last fall, but thankfully Glastonbury does an A-plus job of streaming its performances online and keeps an excellent Youtube channel running for our benefit.
16. BET Experience Music
Who?--Maxwell, Jill Scott, The Roots, Rick Ross, A$AP Rocky, Mary J Blige, Jennifer Hudson, Future and more.
When?--June 27-29
Where?--Los Angeles, CA.
How do I get in?--Tickets are on sale here.
If you're on the West coast then BET's soireé is a must. On the other hand, it's also a must for anyone who missed out on Glastonbury tickets and still needs a June festival fix. Some of the loveliest ladies of r&b will mix with a crew of marquee MCs, and you gotta know Questlove and co are going to blow the roof off of Club Nokia. Then again, having the shapeshifter Future in the mix could be the best thing about the whole experience. See you on the left coast.
17. Essence Festival
Who?--Prince, Nile Rodgers, Mary J Blige, Jill Scott, The Roots, Ledisi, Lionel Richie, Charlie Wilson, Erykah Badu, Estelle, Eve, King, Leela James, Naughty by Nature, 112, Doug E. Fresh, Robert Glasper and more.
When?--July 4-6.
Where?--New Orleans, LA.
How do I get in?--Buy your tickets here.
Essence hit a home run--no, a grand slam this year--and nabbed The Purple One, Chic guitarman Nile Rodgers, jazz pioneer Robert Glasper, the legendary Roots crew and just about every female r&b star under the sun. We're hoping for a lucky streak of sit-ins and collaborations over the weekend. Just think about it: Jill Scott crooning on "You Got Me" with The Roots? King and Ledisi tearing the house down together? Ms. E. Badu trading verses with Prince??? Many of these acts have already guested on each others' sessions and stages, so it seems only right that they spread the love for our listening pleasure.
18. Wireless Festival
Who?--Kanye West, Pharrell Williams, Outkast, Drake, Bruno Mars, 2 Chainz, Giorgio Moroder,Wiz Khalifa, Chance the Rapper, Schoolboy Q, B.O.B., Earl Sweatshirt, A$AP Ferg, J. Cole and more.
When?--July 4-6.
Where?--Birmingham and London, England.
How do I get in?--Tickets are on sale right here, guv'nor.
Wireless festival is unique amidst this list on account of its dual-city approach. Effectively two weekends in one, the entire bill will roll through both Birmingham and London, but on different nights. This means that die-hards could catch their favorite acts two nights in a row, so long as they were willing to make the cross-country commute in between. A stellar roster of hip-hop acts will be on tap at both places. Be damn sure you don't miss J. Cole's set.
19. Montreux Jazz Festival
Who?--Pharrell Williams, Outkast, Massive Attack, Booker T Jones, Chet Faker, Dr. John, The Daptone Super Soul Revue, Mavis Staples, Stevie Wonder, Earl Sweatshirt, Mac Miller, Michael Kiwanuka, Keb' Mo', Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter, Rocky, Morcheeba and more.
When?--July 4-19.
Where?--Montreux, Switzerland.
How do I get in?--Check ticket information here. Don't forget your passport.
Damn, Switzerland. Every year the Montreaux Jazz Fest has us scratching our heads and wondering how its organizers are able to pull together such an amazing and eclectic pool of talent. We should have learned from last year's Prince-topped bill to save up for some transatlantic flights. Those lucky enough to boogie down in the alps this summer will get to dig on some of the best hip-hop, trip-hop, jazz and r&b on earth.
20. Brooklyn Hip-hop Festival
Who?--Raekwon, Jay Electronica, CJ Fly, CyHi the Prynce, Rob Swift, Kydd Jones, The Audible Doctor and more.
When?--Saturday, July 14.
Where?--50 Kent Ave, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY.
How do I get in?--Tickets for both GA and VIP experiences are available here.
There's no better way to catch a glimpse at hip-hop's future than the BHF. Every year a raucous rap ruckus breaks out under the Brooklyn Bridge, and some of the fest's past moments (like Kanye and Q-Tip banging out Tribe cuts) have become certified legendary. Chef Shallah Raekwon of the Wu-Tang Clan will be joined by the mixtape master Jay Electronica and a host of other acts as BK stays large on the hip-hop map. Many more artists are yet to be added to the bill. What are the chances Rae will bring along the Wu's new $5 million LP? Check back here for updates as they arrive.
21. North Sea Jazz Festival
Who?-- Pharrell Williams, Mavis Staples, Gregory Porter, Robert Glasper Experiment, Booker T Jones, Stevie Wonder, Al Jarreau, Outkast, Chic, Hall & Oates, Daptone Super Soul Revue and more.
When?--July 11-13.
Where?--Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
How do I get in?--Get your tickets here.
The North Sea Jazz Fest has always been a top contender for "Lineup of the Year," and it's nice to see that this year's no different. It's (literally) got soul for days! The keyboard gods have blessed us with Stevie, Booker T and Robert Glasper all in one weekend, and you've gotta hope we'll Get Lucky and witness Nile Rodgers join Pharrell for a certain 2013 record of the year.
22. Pitchfork Music Festival
Who?-- Kendrick Lamar, Danny Brown, St. Vincent, Pusha T, Schooloy Q, Earl Sweatshirt, Isiah Rashad, SZA, Kelela, KA and more.
When?--July 18-20.
Where?--Union Park, Chicago, IL.
How do I get in?--Get your tickets here.
The little indie festival that could isn't little anymore. Pitchfork has assembled a top-notch bill this year that puts some of the bigger fests to shame. The weekend's vibe in Union Park has never not been dope, and after R. Kelly brought the house down last year we expect great things from K-dot and company. See you in Chi-city.
23. Forecastle Festival
Who?--Outkast, Jack White, Gary Clark Jr., Action Bronson, Nightmares on Wax, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, The Soul Rebels, Benjamin Booker and more.
When?--July 18-20
Where?--Louisville, KY.
How do I get in?--Tickets are on sale here.
They gettin funky with it down south at the Forecastle festival. It's bound to be a hot and heavy weekend in Louisville with Miss Sharon Jones, Gary Clark Jr. and the Soul Rebels ruling the roost alongside Outkast. Be sure to get over to Nightmares on Wax AKA George Evelyn, though. The UK dj is a master of all things soul and a rarity on these American shores.
24. Lovebox Festival
Who?--Nas, M.I.A., A$AP Rocky, The Gaslamp Killer, Joey Bada$$, Madlib, Bonobo, Submotion Orchestra, BBC DJs Craig Charles, David Rodigan and Benji B, Kyntro, Moderat, Banks, Kenny "K-Dope" Gonzalez, and more.
When?--July 18-19.
Where?--Victoria Park, Hackney, London, England.
How do I get in?--Tickets are on sale here.
Opportunity comes knocking on the door at Lovebox. The headlining crew alone is worth the price of admission but in this case it's the littler names on the poster that easily justify crossing the pond. Bonobo has been blowing minds with his new full band live show and British jazzhiphopdubstep stars Submotion Orchestra bring a sound that comes straight from another solar system. Spinning sessions from some of the BBC's top DJ brass are also guaranteed to bring on some deep cut delights. All that plus the immortal Madlib? Check.
25. Mad Decent Block Party
Who?--Outkast, A$AP Ferg, Action Bronson, Chance the Rapper, Dillon Francis, Diplo, Jillionaire, Kaytranada, RJD2, Run the Jewels, Sleigh Bells, STRFKR and more.
Where?--This block party's got wheels. One-day shows, each with their own unique line-up, are scheduled for Atlanta, Los Angeles, Brooklyn, Vancouver, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Boston and more. Check the full schedule here.
When?--The Block Party tour runs from July 26-September 21.
How do I get in?--Tickets are on sale here.
Mad Decent is the label that brings you the sounds of Diplo, Paper Diamond, Major Lazer and more. It's also the label that brings you the summer's most diverse and dance-worthy tour. MD's Block Party caravan will roll across the North American continent with unique line-ups on each and every night. This is one festival that brings the party to you and if you're lucky enough to live in one of the cities on the tour schedule, you'd be a fool not to attend. The Denver date is especially stacked with a bill of Outkast, Djemba Djemba, Flosstradamus and Run the Jewels.
26. Newport Jazz Festival
Who?--Jon Batiste & Stay Human, Robert Glasper Experiment John Zorn's Masada, Brian Blade & the Fellowship Band, Snarky Puppy, Wynton Marsalis, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Dave Holland's Prism, Eric Harland, Bobby McFerrin, Dr. John, Ravi Coltrane, Ron Carter and more.
When?--August 1-3.
Where?--Newport, RI.
How do I get in?--Grab your tickets here and don't forget the boat shoes!
That sweet music we call hip-hop came of age thanks to the sampling of the jazz greats. For that reason alone it's important to keep up with what's happening at Newport, the country's top jazz festival that's now in its 60th year. (Some of the samples you know and love were recorded by the players on this very bill, come to think of it.) But this weekend will be far from a retro victory lap for the legends of bygone Blue Note bills. The master Robert Glasper will represent for the bright new head-nodding generation of jazz and Nawlins will be in the house thanks to Trombone Shorty's hip-hop-infused blues and Jon Batiste's aisle-crowding Louisiana swing.
27. Vanguard Music Festival
Who?--Yasiin Bey (fka Mos Def), The Roots, The Pharcyde, Dam Funk, Seun Kuti & Egypt 80, Method Man & Redman, Little Dragon, Large Professor, George Clinton, and more.
When?--August 1-2.
Where?--Copenhagen, Denmark.
How do I get in?--Tickets can be purchased here.
The price tag of 1070 DKK, roughly $200, is a little steep (not to mention airfare to Scandinavia) but if you do decide to pony up for the Vanguard Music Festival you'll be in for a preposterously good weekend. The lineup reads like a who's-who of Okayplayer favorites and the site at Søndermarken park in the heart of Copenhagen is nothing but lush green field after forest after field. Yasiin, The Pharcyde, The Roots, and co will no doubt turn it into a funky Danish Eden.
28. Osheaga Festival
Who?--Outkast, Lorde, J. Cole, Tiga, Childish Gambino, Chromeo, Pusha T, Chance the Rapper, Danny Brown, Four Tet, Joey Bada$$, Shlohmo and more.
When?--August 1-3.
Where?--Ile Ste-Hélène, Montreal, Canada.
How do I get in?--Tickets are on sale now.
Montreal has an electro-funk scene that goes way, way back to the likes of Pierre Perpall and Diane Tell. Osheaga is honoring that heritage with a bill of funk lords buffeted by local heroes Tiga and Chromeo. The weekend takes place on a gorgeous island park off the Canadian mainland where the air is clear and the vibe is dope. Vive le funk!
29. Lollapalooza
Who?--Eminem, Outkast, Nas, Broken Bells, Childish Gambino, Chance the Rapper, Flosstradamus, Gramatik, Chromeo, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Run the Jewels, Blood Orange, Duke Dumont, Jhené Aiko, Jon Batiste, Benjamin Booker and more.
When?--August 1-3.
Where?--Grant Park, Chicago, IL.
How do I get in?--This one's sadly sold out! Unless you've got the scratch to pony up for a $3,600 Platinum Pass, that is.
The hip-hop force is strong with Lolla this year as Nas brings his celebratory Illmatic 20th anniversary set to the hot Chicago summer. We've also got a feeling that Dev Hynes's Blood Orange set is going to be a highlight of the weekend. If you've already nabbed your tickets you'd be wise not to sleep on Okayplayer favorites Gramatik and Jhené Aiko.
30. Outside Lands
Who?--Kanye West, Tom Petty, Disclosure, Duck Sauce, Chromeo, Tycho, Run the Jewels, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Atmosphere, The Soul Rebels and more.
When?--August 8-10.
Where?--Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA.
How do I get in?--Regular passes have all been claimed, but you can spring for VIP experience tickets if you've got some spare change lying around.
The festival site of Outside Lands is one of the most visually-pleasing on our list, and thankfully the music bill is top-shelf as well. Lucky ticket-holders will be able to get down to Duck Sauce and Disclosure amongst the flowers, gaze at the San Francisco skyline to the tangerine tones of Tycho and ultimately blast off to rap's stratosphere with the Yeezus spaceship. Last year festival organizers suffered from a last-minute D'Angelo cancellation, but there's no reason to hold that against them. This will still be a sonically delicious weekend.
31. Lowlands Festival
Who?--Chet Faker, Janelle Monae, Kaytranada, Shlohmo, Jungle, Gregory Porter, Portishead and more.
When?--August 15-17.
Where?--Evenemententerrein Walibi Holland, Biddinghuizen, The Netherlands.
How do I get in?--Get your tickets here.
The Lowlands lineup is the dark horse of this summer's festival circuit. But just like with record store crate-digging, festivals reward you for trying something strange and new. Veteran jazz singer Gregory Porter and the already-classic songstress Janelle Monae will trade sets with some of the darkest, moodiest and most impressive acts from a electro/soul/hip-hop crossover set that's still too-often shrouded in the uncharted Soundcloud backcountry. Chet Faker's woozy r&b pipes are bound to be smouldering now that his debut full-length Built on Glass has finally dropped, and we're betting Shlohmo's set will go perfectly with some of Holland's *ahem* greener treats.
32. Made in America Festival
Who?--Philadelphia: Kanye West, Pharrell Williams, De La Soul, J. Cole, Chromeo, Mayer Hawthorne, and more (read the details here).
LA: Kendrick Lamar, Chance the Rapper, Cypress Hill, Schoolboy Q, Ab-Soul, Classixx, Isaih Rashaad, Jay Rock, SZA, and more (read the details here)
When?--August 30-31.
Where?--Ben Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA. // Grand Park, Los Angeles, CA.
How do I get in?--Philly tickets are on sale here and LA tickets can be purchased here.
The wait is over! (At least for the lineup, that is.) This year's Made in America festival will stretch to both coasts and be split into a joint LA and Philadelphia party. Not only features A-list names like Ye, Kendrick Lamar and Pharrell on the bill but also the never-not-touring De La Soul and dance-funk kings Chromeo, who recently hit it out of the park with their new release White Women. Expect Ab-Soul and Schoolboy Q to share some stage time with K-dot under the LA sun and Pharrell to bring some surprises to the city of brotherly love.
But Wait: There's More...
A number of perennially excellent festivals have yet to confirm their lineups, but that doesn't mean we're not already fiending for the stars to hit their stages. Some of the other festivals we'll be sure to keep you posted on include:
Rock the Bells
Quite possibly the king of all hip-hop festivals, RtB has had a bit of a bumpy history, and last year both the Washington D.C. and NYC stops on its multi-city caravan tour were cancelled due to low ticket sales. Still, we've got a good feeling that this year will be different and our Octobers will be blessed by a healthy, rugged and raw bill of headliners and up-and-comers.
Afropunk Fest
First and foremost a festival for the people, Brooklyn's AfroPunk Fest openly solicits audition material from bands that aspire to take the stage and offers free admission to anyone willing to volunteer a bit of their time for the cause. Last year brought hip-hop heavyweights Danny Brown and Chuck D, wordsmith Saul Williams and the genre-bending, gender-bending Mykki Blanco. The dates of August 23-24 have been confirmed and with any luck we'll get a peek at a lineup real soon.
